Medpor Mandible Implant

A Medpor mandible implant is as tough as human bones and is suitable to sculpt a relatively extended mandible angle or reshape lower face masculine images. Available in diverse models and sizes, the implants are selected and modified before the operation based on the requirements of patients, which are highly customizable. Many patients even undergo concurrent Medpor mandible and chin augmentation to forge the contour of the whole lower face. Nevertheless, such implants should be kept at a certain thickness to provide stable bone connection; the implants not only highlight the mandible angle but also make the mandible broader to increase the width of the lower face. In Dr. Chuang’s experience, they are rarely used in female patients and are mostly applied in jaw line reinforcement or congenital mandible deficiency correction in males.

The focal point of this surgery is the advanced modification of Medpor to conform to the face shape and skeletal patterns of each patient. Therefore, all patients should undergo a routine skull X-ray and 3D preoperative simulation or even a 3D CT scan if the mandible is asymmetric or problematic. After the structure of the mandible and size of Medpor are confirmed, Dr. Chuang then sculpts and trims Medpor implant preoperatively in line with imaging data in order to directly emplace it to effectively mitigate mandible bone defect during the surgery and curtail the surgical time.

The first step of this surgery is to make a 4-cm incision at the bilateral lower gums. Via the incision, the skin and muscles are detached from the mandible by an endo light sourcing system, and if necessary, the mandible is superficially or regionally shaved to make an even plane for implant emplacement. Then, the pre-trimmed and sterilized Medpor is implanted into the dissected subperiosteal space. Attention should be paid to confirm whether Medpor is closely attached to the mandible, and if it is unstable, a bone screw should be used for fixation at the perpendicular plane to avoid implant displacement, thus compromising the surgical durability. After the bilateral Medpor implants are confirmed to be right in place, the wounds are stitched.

Surgical conditions

Duration

0.5hr
  • Type of anesthesia: General anesthesia
  • Type of incision: A 4-cm incision at the intraoral lower gum
  • Recovery: 7–10 days
  • Removal of stitches: No

General instructions

No food and water on the day of surgery

0hr
  • Avoid smoking, alcohol, and irritating foods for 1 month postoperatively, and avoid strenuous or excessive activities.
  • Avoid singing or laughing and other overt mouth opening behaviors for 2 months postoperatively.
  • Avoid heavy collision to or squeezing of the mandible for 3 months postoperatively.

Ideal candidates

  • Male patients who require the subjective reinforcement of the mandible angle and masculine contour
  • Patients with bone angle defects (broadsword-shaped face) due to prior excess mandible reduction
  • Those with congenital mandible bone deficiency or malplasia
  • Those who need to reconstruct mandible defects due to trauma
  • Those who want to undergo masculine facial skeletal transformation (female-to-male transgender patients)

Possible complications

  • Poor wound healing
  • Implant reaction or infection
  • Hematoma
  • Chin numbness
  • Temporary asymmetrical facial expression of the lower face

Surgical advantages

  1. Surgical results are stable and persistent.

  2. The Medpor implant is tough and can easily sculpt the masculine lines (jaw line) of the mandible.

  3. Diverse models and sizes are available, which can customize patients’ requirements.

  4. The Medpor implant closely connects with the skeleton and skin and is less likely to result in displacement.

  5. The material is tough and resists exterior force collision.

  6. The risk of infection or rejection is quite low.

Surgical drawbacks

  1. Medpor sculpting and emplacement are complicated and take a long time.

  2. Excessive correction may make the mandible too wide or thick.

  3. The section between the Medpor implant and mandible can be palpable in patients with thin skin.

  4. Large-area expansion of the mandible may lead to temporary chin numbness or foreign body sense.

  5. It is difficult to be removed or modified in the future.

Possible procedure in conjunction

Before & After

These photographs represent typical results, but not everyone who undergoes plastic surgery will achieve the same.

Medpor Mandible Implant – Male

Asymmetric Mandible Correction + Chin Augmentation